BMW X1 Rough Running & Check Engine: Air Valve Suspect?

I had nearly identical issues with my 2014 BMW X3 last year. The symptoms matched exactly what you're describing, rough idle, stalling, and that distinctive secondary air pump problem. After taking it to the garage, they found that the vacuum hose connecting the pump to the air valve had deteriorated and was causing an air leak. It was a pretty serious issue since it was affecting the entire air intake system and could've led to more engine damage if left unchecked. The fix involved replacing the faulty hose connection and recalibrating the system. The whole process took about half a day at the shop. While they had it open, they also inspected the rest of the vacuum lines and found everything else was in good shape. Been running smoothly since then, no check engine lights or performance issues. I'd definitely get yours checked soon, as these symptoms typically don't improve on their own.

Hey, that's really helpful to hear about your experience! I'm actually dealing with the same thing right now and was relieved to hear your X3 had similar symptoms. My mechanic's going to check it next week. Just curious, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the repair? Also, has everything stayed problem-free since the fix, or have you noticed any other quirks?

Hey there! Happy to give you an update on my X3 situation. The repair ended up costing me 175 € for fixing that troublesome hose connection between the pump and valve. I know it sounds a bit steep for a hose issue, but considering the potential damage it could've caused to the engine, I'd say it was worth every penny. Since getting it fixed, the car's been running like a dream, no more stalling, no jerking, and that annoying check engine light hasn't shown its face again. It's such a relief when you get that kind of immediate, obvious improvement after a repair, you know? The air valve issue was definitely the culprit, and once they sorted that out, everything fell back into place. I've put quite a few miles on it since the repair, and I haven't noticed any other quirks or problems. The engine runs smooth as silk now. Just make sure your mechanic thoroughly checks the connection points, that's where mine found the wear and tear that was causing all the trouble. If your symptoms are as similar as they sound, I reckon you're looking at the same fix. Hope this helps give you a better idea of what you might be in for!

Thanks so much for all that detail! I finally got my car checked out today, and you won't believe it, it was exactly what you described! The mechanic found the same vacuum hose issue, and it ended up being a pretty quick fix. Had to shell out about 200 for the repair, which was a bit more than I expected, but honestly, the car's running so much better now that I can't complain. No more jerking or stalling, and that pesky check engine light is finally off. It's amazing how such a small part can cause so much trouble! Funny thing is, my old mechanic kept suggesting it was something way more complicated and expensive. Really glad I got a second opinion after reading about your experience. The new guy knew exactly what to look for and fixed it right up. Think I've found my new regular mechanic! Thanks again for sharing your story, it really helped me avoid getting overcharged for unnecessary repairs!